TASS

THERMAL ACOUSTIC SLAB SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

With ever increasing building costs, the requirement for rapid building and greater awareness of energy conservation as an important aspect of building design, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is becoming increasingly used in modern day construction.
The TASS uses the properties of EPS - thermal and sound insulation, lightweight,
accuracy in moulding and cost competitiveness as the cornerstone of a patented
multi storey floor slab system.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

TASS is a combination of a moulded EPS block and cold rolled steel channel to form a 'rib and block'/coffer slab system for multi storey buildings.
The system comprises a priority high strength galvanised steel rib which supports the high density TASS EPS void formers.

The system is completed by the placement of reinforcing bars between the TASS blocks in both directions, reinforcing mesh above the blocks and concrete to fill the channels, encapsulate the rebar and mesh to form the structure of the floor slab.
The beams which are created by the concrete infill and rebar in the gaps between the TASS blocks creates a monolithic structure.

The TASS void formers are left in place and act both as a thermal and sound insulator.

SYSTEM APPLICATION

1) The floor slab is designed taking into account the span and load bearing requirements combining the variables of rebar size and configuration, concrete beam depth - which can be controlled by the TASS block depth, and the horizontal floor slab and reinforcing mesh.

2) Support wall structures are built as normal.

3) Steel ribs are placed uni-directionally onto the supporting walls. These are propped at 1,6 metre intervals to support the wet concrete and construction loading.

4) Steel reinforcing is fitted between the TASS blocks in both directions.

5) Steel reinforcing mesh is placed above the blocks on EPS spacers to position the mesh near the surface of the concrete slab.

6) If needed, formwork is placed around the perimeter of the floor area and service ducts to confine the concrete pour.

7) Concrete is poured to complete the slab.

8) Ceilings can be either suspended or plastered with Polyplast, propriety EPS plaster system, available from ABP Building Products.

TASS can be used in the following application areas:
- double storey residential
- multi storey commercial buildings
- hotels
- flats, duplexes and apartment buildings
- shopping centres
- suspended ground floor slabs
- renovations

PRODUCT BENEFITS

Lightweight
All the components of TASS are lightweight and can easily be installed without cranes, lifting equipment or excessive labour.

TASS is approximately 35% lighter than competitive concrete rib and block systems. This equates to a saving of about 150kg/m2.

Quick and easy to install
As the TASS components are made to close dimensional tolerances (EPS blocks are moulded in closed moulds and the steel channels roll formed) and lightweight they can be quickly and easily positioned.
The TASS blocks can readily be cut with a handsaw when full blocks do not fit and complex shapes have to be covered.
Electrical and other services can also be cut into the EPS and run through the blocks themselves.

Fully load bearing
During the construction phase the TASS blocks can support workmen and equipment allowing full access to the working area without fear of breakages or damage. Similarly the system will support the concrete pour provided the channels are propped at the recommended intervals.

Thermal and sound insulation
EPS is used extensively as a thermal insulating material and performs this function in the slab moderating building temperatures and reducing energy costs associated with heating and cooling. EPS also acts as a sound barrier and in combination with the concrete slab mutes all sound waves that could potentially be transmitted through loor slabs.

Fire performance
A fire retardant grade of EPS is used to manufacture the TASS slabs and as a result they do not add to any existing fire hazard and will not contribute to the development phase of a fire and will not propagate flame.

Long life
EPS is rot, rodent and termite proof and is dimensionally stable and will thus retain its thermal and sound insulating properties for the life of the building.

Cost competitive
TASS is cost competitive when comparing material cost only vs. traditional concrete systems but becomes increasingly competitive when including the cost of labour, equipment requirements and time.
Fewer props are needed per mtr sq for TASS when compared to concrete systems.

Shorter supply lead times
The concrete components of traditional 'rib and block' systems all need lengthy cure periods after manufacture to reach full strength often increasing supply lead times.
The TASS EPS blocks are moulded in seconds and the ribs cold rolled and cut to size immediately.
These alternative manufacturing methods means that system supply lead times can be significantly reduced.

Versatility
The TASS system can span in two directions which makes complex designs easier to configure.
Both the TASS blocks and the steel channels can be readily cut (and welded) on site to accommodate odd shapes and openings.
Steel formwork edges to limit the concrete can be formed from various sizes of channel.
Skylights are easy to install by leaving out TASS blocks and creating edge formers from cold rolled steel sections.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

System design:
Design TASS floor slabs as per procedure laid down in SANS10100 section 4,5 design code.
The design program used to analyse the system is commercially available from Prokon.

TASS block dimensions:

EPS Density: 20gm/lt

Fire retardant: Yes

Thermal conductity: 0,038w/mK

Channels: 150 x 60 x 20 x 1.4mm 350 MPa min. yield pre-galvanized cold rolled steel.
EPS Spacers: 35 x 40 x 40 mm high density expanded polystyrene.
Plaster: Polyplast resin solution mixed 1:10 with plaster sand.

For additional information on TASS please download the resources below.